Another hit by a wonderful author. This one has young Molly with a cheating husband and having a rough time. Especially when he attacks her with a bat and then ends up dead. Finding out she has witch powers, and meeting Josiah is a bonus. He helps her recover and welcomes her into his coven. If you have read others by this author you will know a bit about the others she briefly mentions. Sadly no dragons in this one, but still enjoyable. I really liked this one, and there are plenty of other characters if she wants to write more from this group. Highly recommend.

This is a fast paced Fantasy.

Although predictable the characters kept me engaged and made this a very enjoyable witch fantasy.

Thea Harrison weaves a story in a way that is captivating.

American Witch is about Molly Sullivan who endures for months the inexplicable: electrical surges, car breakdowns, visions. She even wonders if she might be the cause… and wonders if she might be crazy. Then she discovers her husband has cheated on her. Again. Now Molly realizes she is a newly awakening witch and a woman pushed over the edge.

Josiah Mason is a Powerful witch and the leader of a secret coven with a shared goal: to destroy an ancient enemy who has ruined many lives. Josiah lost years to this man, and his sole focus is revenge. He’s prepared for every contingency—except encountering a beautiful new witch who understands nothing of the immense Power building within her or the attraction she wields over him.

Great storyline!

I love a good witch romance and I love a good Thea Harrison romance. So American Witch is a great combination for me. Molly recently discovers that she's a witch and that discovery leads her to Josiah and a dangerous adventure.

I found this to be such a different paranormal and a funny voice to have and I'm excited to read more in this world.

This is first in a spinoff series of the Elder Races books, set in the same world but with witches. Molly's lawyer husband has cheated on her once again and she's done with it. The ensuing fight turns out to be what activates her latent powers and soon she's on the run from Dark Forces AND her shitty husband. Enter Josiah, the District Attorney and a super old witch hunting, well... Rasputin. There's a lot. Anyway, it's violent and there's a lot of running away/hiding/danger but also explosive chemistry and found family. A solid read if you like the Elder Races books, urban fantasy, or paranormal romance.


Content warnings: pregnancy, sex, violence, domestic violence, cheating (not MCs), stalking

Suzanne received a digital copy of this book for review but purchased and read an audio copy instead.

Thea Harrison's American Witch chronicles the story of Molly Sullivan and her emergence as a witch. When Molly discovers that her husband has cheated on her (again), she decides to divorce him and move on with her life. In the midst of leaving him, she discovers that her husband harbors a dangerous secret that he will do anything to protect. While trying to protect herself, Molly unleashes power that alerts handsome fellow witch, Josiah Mason (and others) to her presence. As an awakening witch with no idea how to harness her powers, Molly turns to Josiah for help, but he has his own mission to deal with. What's an emerging witch with a deadbeat husband and an attractive teacher to do?

Overall, I enjoyed this story and I liked the ending. There is room for a series, but I wished it had better pacing. The characters and story were enough to keep me interested enough to read more from this author.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Netgalley but all opinions provided are my own.

4.5 stars.

Thea Harrison’s American Witch was the last book to surprise me. I picked it up & read a few chapters, and before I knew it I was absolutely sucked into this story of enemies-to-lovers, older hero-heroine, witch-coming-into-her-own goodness.

Molly Sullivan discovers her magical powers the same night that she discovers that her husband has been sleeping with another woman in their bed. Neither discovery goes down smooth.

She’s soon approached by Josiah Mason, District Attorney and fellow witch, who proceeds to offer her help and guidance and oh yeah, steer her & her amazing powers into the direction that would be most advantageous to him, his ambitions, & his mission. For years, Josiah & a like-minded coven of witches have been itching to get revenge against the older witch who betrayed them, & the moment seems closer than ever.

But Josiah’s attraction for Molly is greedy and demanding, & the attack against her & the conspiracy she’s wrapped up in seem to be intimately tied to his own revenge plans. To quote Scooby Doo: Ruh roh.

I kind of love this book. There’s a keen sense of suspense, both with Molly & Josiah’s relationship and the magic plot, a beautiful enemies-to-lovers plotline that kept me invested from the first frosty exchange, & a fantastic heroine arc with Molly—who absolutely refuses to kowtow to Josiah at any point in the book—becoming even stronger as the book progresses. After years of subsuming her own wants/needs to her cheating husband, Molly makes it clear from the opening line that that shit won’t fly anymore, and I loved it.

Let’s not forget about how Thea Harrison ties Josiah’s life to a compelling historical moment that still has conspiracy theorist-tongues-wagging…

And you can hopefully see where some of my excitement is coming from. American Witch has the magic, the drama, the fights, the sexiness that make a book devour-able, and I can’t wait to see where the trilogy goes next.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. Molly is a newly awakened witch and she has found out her husband has cheated on her not for the first time. That is how she comes to meet Josiah. He is a leader of a secret coven with a sole purpose to take out an ancient enemy that they have been dealing with for a long time. Molly has decided to divorce her husband but it does not go as plan and Molly has to turn to Josiah again. I like this as a starting book. I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy.

It was an alright read, though i had a hard time connecting with the characters and sometimes i got confused by some of the characters.

My next two books are courtesy of the publishers via NetGalley. I used to get the majority of my books from NetGalley but I haven't had much luck finding anything I want to read that wasn't a 'wish for it'. First up is Thea Harrison's American Witch. Molly Sullivan's life has turned upside down. On the same day she discovers her husband has been unfaithful, again she also discovers that she has new powers awakening. Josiah Mason, a very powerful witch and leader of a secret coven has offered to help Molly manage her powers but can she trust him? Molly finds she doesn't have a choice when both her husband and her divorce attorney are brutally murdered. A deadly secret links Molly's husband and Josiah's sworn enemy. They decide to join forces to bring down someone who hides in the shadows and who is merciless and cruel. Its not long before what draws Josiah and Molly together isn't just the hunt for the killer but their explosive mutual attraction. Will they survive long enough to see if their romance has a chance?

I didn't realise when I requested this book that it was also in the same world as the Elder Races although none of the characters from that series popped up. My disappointment was that I was really hoping for something completely new. Overall, the story was a bit of a re-hash of Harrison's other novels - boy meets girl, boy and girl don't get along, boy and girl become attracted against all odds and despite immanent threat to their 'persons', boy and girl fall in love for ever and ever. Molly does in the end stand up for herself and become a power in her own right. The love interests were just a bit too one dimensional for my like. If you are looking for something to read at the beach then this may be a book to consider.

Molly’s life has taken an unexpected turn. Her husband is cheating on her and doing it in her bed. She is through. But divorcing the louse is only the beginning of the changes in her life.
American Witch by Thea Harrison is first in the American Witch series. This world is loosely connected to Ms. Harrison’s Elder Races series.
I enjoyed meeting Molly. The world she knows is changing. And so is she. She finds herself with a power she neither understands nor wants. Can she survive learning her new reality?
Josiah has lived a long time. Vengeance fuels him. Meeting Molly isn’t part of the plan. I loved seeing Josiah change in spite of himself. Molly needs Josiah. But Josiah also needs Molly. Can he accept that need? I loved finding out as Ms. Harrison puts Josiah and Molly through their paces.
This story by Ms. Harrison is full of unexpected twists and turns. The action is intense and at times unexpected. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Molly and Josiah embrace their growing feelings. Even as they fight hidden dangers. This journey Ms. Harrison takes us on is intense but also enjoyable. I am looking forward to where she will take us next.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

3.5 Hearts This was a cute read. Molly is married but finds her husband is cheating on her and when she meets Josiah her true power within herself comes out.

There is a romance that blooms while she learns what her powers are about.

But there is more than just magic between them so the danger takes the two of them on a magical ride and of love and intrigue.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

When Molly Sullivan finds out that her husband has cheated on her...again...she erupts with long overdue fury, and in the process discovers she’s actually a witch. Josiah Mason is there to witness her newfound powers, and he knows they can bring unwanted scrutiny to the area from his enemy, who he’s been plotting against for years. Josiah offers to train Molly and help her control her powers. Molly has to become the person and the witch she was always meant to be, and Josiah has to decide what price he’s willing to pay for revenge.

First and foremost, the world building in this book is excellent. It is technically set in the world of the Elder Races, but there’s not a lot of crossover and you don’t need to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one. We didn’t hear much about witches in the previous books, but in this series Harrison really digs into their story more. I especially loved the town where Molly eventually settles, and I can’t wait to learn more about it in future books.

Molly is an older heroine, and I really enjoyed that! She hasn’t lived her life on her terms, but once she realizes she doesn’t have to put up with everyone else’s shit she finally starts coming into her own. (She is married at the start of the book, but don't worry there's no cheating, from her at least.) I love that she doesn’t let Josiah walk all over her. They have a very contentious relationship at the start, and while they are attracted neither is willing to bend on their own goals--Josiah wants revenge and Molly just wants to live life as she wants it. Even once they start having both pants feelings and romantic feelings for each other, Molly doesn’t pine for Josiah, doesn’t roll over and give him his way. She demands that he love her as she is, and she will no longer bend for anyone. A lot of this book is really about Molly learning to live her best life, and that’s very satisfying to see. I also loved that Molly demands Josiah be the best version of himself, too, and if he can’t do that she’s fully prepared to let him go.

If I have one criticism, it’s that because of the detailed world building and the time spent on Molly’s growth, there isn’t as much time spent on the romance. It’s hard to see their turn from enemies to HEA. I believed it; I just wanted to see more of it. I also didn’t love the surprise twist in the middle. I won’t ruin it for everyone, but I thought it was unnecessary and would rather have seen Molly grow for Molly rather than this extra influence.

I really enjoyed this heroine and story, and I look forward to learning more about this part of the Elder Races world.

Grade: 4 out of 5

I read a little romance and a lot of fantasy, so I tend to prefer stories that are heavy on magic/plot/dramatic tension and tender love stories, and light on heaving bosoms and overwhelming lust for inappropriate partners. So now you know my prejudices.

American Witch begins promisingly enough with forty-something Molly Sullivan discovering that her attorney husband has been unfaithful to her . . . again. She wigs out, confronts him before the senior partner of his firm, the newly elected District Attorney, and all the guests at their elegant party, throws the contents of their safe into her suitcase, and decamps. From there, matters spin utterly out of control as she discovers banking records for an account in the Seychelles and her soon-to-be-ex comes after her in a near-lethal attack. She fights back, using magical Powers she had no idea she possessed. Soon she’s entangled with Josiah Mason, the above-mentioned DA, who is an ancient, powerful witch himself, and has gathered a coven to track down and eliminate an even older and very wicked witch (one of whose past lives will be immediately recognizable). In other words, the story hits the ground running.

Alas, all that action comes to a near halt as Molly and Josiah become increasingly mired in their mutual lust and repulsion. Finally they tumble into bed together, drenched in overwhelming sexual need, with tons of pretty nicely described sexual acts. There’s even a brief discussion about birth control, for which the author would get a gold star from me except it’s not about responsible, mutually respectful sex, it’s a set-up for the inevitable contraceptive failure and resulting pregnancy.

At this point, the thriller-type action comes to a screeching halt, ditto the story of how Molly learns to control and value her magical Power. Instead we have scene after scene of graphically depicted obsessive sex punctuated by statements of distrust and rejection, with only an occasional nod to Molly being a strong, independent woman. I felt as if I’d signed up for one reading experience – an urban fantasy thriller with a touch of romance – and gotten dropped into a not-so-soft porn romance.

Eventually the chain of events that opened the book catch up with the lovers, but not before Molly discovers she is pregnant, decides that as long as Josiah is bent on tracking down this ancient and very bad witch he’s too dangerous to be around her and the baby, then reconnects with him, then decamps to a witches’ commune on the California coast, then reconnects, and so forth.

Molly’s magical education, upon which the climax of the story ultimately relies, comes way too late in the book. Josiah gives her a few bits of advice early on, and she practices but gains facility way too easily, then she learns magical herbology and a few other nifty tricks, then all of a sudden, she is in tune with “her” elements and skilled in wiccan-esque invocations. In fact, when she calls upon her various Power-skills, it seemed to me they were drawn out of a hat. This is a shame, because there was great potential in the Western coven, its lore, techniques, and characters. Molly-coming-into-her-own and Molly-finding-her-magical-family take a back seat to the sex scenes and the merry-go-round relationship.

As a reader and as a writer, I prefer eroticism to be evoked or suggested within the context of a fascinating relationship. I like characters who are comfortable with their sexuality but not incapacitated by it. So I had a problem with Molly and Josiah’s love life on several counts, as described above. The result is an imbalance in pacing and dramatic structure, with thriller-urban fantasy acting as book ends (beginning and end) to spicy romance.

The opening of a book is a contract between the author and the reader. The author shows the reader what kind of experience lies within the pages, but then must deliver; it doesn’t work to switch genres in mid-book, and as much as I liked the opening of American Witch, that was my experience of the overall book. I wished the author had made up her mind what kind of story she was telling.

On a more minor note, I found Molly’s pregnancy unbelievable. Certainly, pregnant women can be physically and dramatically active (with my first pregnancy, I worked full-time and trained in kung fu until my 8th month), especially during those months when she feels exceptionally well with a rush of hormone-fueled energy. Most women, however, feel different, whether it’s nauseated from morning sickness, aware of physical changes (breast size/texture/soreness, elevated heart rate, elevated body temperature, changes in joint/skin elasticity and center of gravity, and so forth). Molly never seemed pregnant to me, except for talking about it. Surely a witch in tune with moon phases and the ocean and so forth would be more aware of the significant transformation of her own body.

The usual disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book, but no one bribed me to say anything in particular about it, one way or the other.

This paranormal romance sets the stage for a new series within the broader world that the Elder Races share with humans. It has the author’s trademark feisty characters and intensely emotional situations, but it isn’t quite as enthralling to me as some of the other stories. Although it is easy to sympathize with the main characters and the horrendous experiences they have overcome, their hot-and-cold interactions are a little forced, especially because Josiah is such an overbearing and opinionated male at first. I love that Molly’s experiences leave her bowed but unbroken and that she finds a way to remain true to herself.

Thank you for this opportunity to review this book, unfortunately, this book wasent clicking with me. I really liked the authors plotting and characterisation ( very interesting worldbuilding) but unfortunately, it didn't work for me on this occasion with my mood.

Again, thank you to the publisher for this opportunity.

This book felt different to so many before based on witches and magic. Molly is woman who is finding herself as a witch but also as a person. It’s a story about magic, self discovery and romance. I really warmed to the main character Molly and enjoyed her journey. Certainly can see the future book series in all of this.

This book was really so fantastic to read! It's a bit different, since Molly wasn't a Power, wasn't in the circles of any Powers, at least in the beginning. Given that she lives in a town without a Power, that makes sense! But it was something new and I really enjoyed that!

I really enjoyed getting to know this new cast of characters! Molly and Josiah are pretty interesting, given her coming into her ability, and his age and vendetta. We didn't really get to know the others really well, but we had their motivations why they were working together, which is pretty significant!

Watching Molly train and learn to use her powers was pretty awesome. I also enjoyed their relationship, how it had fits and starts, since his vendetta was a major obstacle for them to overcome. It made for great reading!

I have no idea where this series is going to go from here, if we're going to have different narrators each book or not like the other series. But I'm pretty sure that they're going to continue to face this threat, because it was even bigger than they thought!

This was a really fantastic book, and I can't wait to see where things go from here!

It had been a LONG time since I'd read any of Thea's Elder Races novels. And I cannot remember why--especially after reading American Witch. It took me a couple of chapters to get back in the groove, but man Thea did NOT disappoint. I want more!!